Super Rugby: Brumbies go top after comfortable win in Dunedin
The Brumbies ran in three tries as they beat the Highlanders 30-19 to move to the head of the Super Rugby table.
Last Updated: 12/04/13 10:48am
Scores from Henry Speight, George Smith and Joe Tamone combined with a near-flawless kicking display from Christian Leali'ifano paved the way for a comfortable Brumbies win.
Despite amassing a ten-point lead in the opening five minutes the Brumbies faltered for periods of the first half as Hayden Parker scored four penalties to put the visitors in touching distance.
Brumbies took the lead in the second minute when a wide pass to Speight freed the winger to touch down with Leali'ifano converting before adding a penalty to his side's tally three minutes later.
As the joint league leaders wavered in discipline Parker seized the initiative to put the Highlanders within one point approaching the interval.
Just eight minutes remained before half-time when Brumbies flanker Smith ploughed over the line off the back of a maul to extend the lead before Parker maintained his perfect record scored another penalty to leave the Highlanders within five points.
The Highlanders were untidy in the second period as a spilt ball was collected by Tamone just inside the Brumbies half before he raced clear to score his seventh Super Rugby try.
Leali'ifano continued to excel with the boot as the centre accumulated 15 points for the Brumbies to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Replacement scrum-half Aaron Smith gave the Highlanders a glimmer of hope when he skilfully worked his way through the Brumbies defence to touch down in the 76th minute.
However, the Highlanders remained 11 points adrift following Parker's conversion, leaving it too late for a comeback. Jamie Joseph's side are rooted at the foot of the table.
Victory takes Jake White's Brumbies temporarily top of the Super Rugby table, four points ahead of the Chiefs who face the Reds in Hamilton on Saturday.